Mental health disorders are health conditions that affect one’s emotions, thinking, and behavior. It can interfere with the way people perform daily tasks.
The most common mental problems are anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder. To address these, you can choose among a range of treatment options such as medications, psychotherapy, and other alternative programs.
This article will cover the different mental conditions and the various therapies that can manage them.
What is Mental Health?
Mental health refers to an individual’s emotional, cognitive, and psychological well-being. It influences how we cope with stress, connect with others, and make decisions. It is a fundamental part of our lives, from childhood through adulthood.
A recent study shows that 1 in 5 people experience mental illness each year. Some elements contributing to this condition include genes, brain injury, psychological trauma, substance abuse, and other environmental factors.
That said, it is vital to take care of your mental wellness to enjoy life. You need to balance life activities and responsibilities and get mental health treatment when necessary.
Common Types of Mental Health Disorder
- Anxiety Disorders: People with this condition feel an excessive and persistent amount of worry about potential dangers or misfortunes. When faced with dreaded situations, they may experience rapid heartbeat and sweating.
- Bipolar and Related Disorders. This disorder causes extreme emotional highs and lows, also known as mania and depression. Depression is characterized by persistent sadness or worthlessness, while mania manifests as euphoria and excessive self-esteem.
- Depressive Disorders. It manifests as persistent sadness and loss of interest in usually enjoyable activities. It disrupts your daily functions.
- Feeding and Eating Disorders. Conditions such as anorexia nervosa and binge-eating can impact one’s nutrition and health.
- Neurocognitive Disorders. It is a general term that refers to a decrease in mental function due to conditions like traumatic brain injury or Alzheimer’s disease.
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. It is a condition in which a person has uncontrollable, recurring thoughts that drive them to do certain actions repetitively.
- Personality Disorders. People with this condition have emotional instability and unhealthy behavior that results in life and relationship problems.
- Schizophrenia Spectrum and Other Psychotic Disorders. Patients dealing with this condition often experience delusions, hallucinations, and disorganized thinking and speech. These disorders can detach the person from reality.
- Substance-related and Addictive Disorders. It is the repeated pattern of using alcohol, tobacco, and drugs in excessive amounts. It also includes continuous engagement in destructive activity or behavior, such as gambling, shopping, and sex.
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. People with this condition have uncontrollable thoughts and memories about a traumatizing event they’ve witnessed or experienced. It is marked by flashbacks, sleep disturbances, and angry outbursts.
Thankfully, there are adequate measures in place to treat mental health disorders. Treatment methods may come in medications, psychotherapies, and other holistic approaches. Read on to learn more about them.
4 Common Types of Pharmacological Therapies
Different types of medications are prescribed to people who have a mental illness. They are categorized based on the disorder they intend to treat.
1. Antianxiety Drugs – Provides immediate relief for those dealing with anxiety, panic disorder, and phobias.
Examples:
- Alprazolam
- Chlordiazepoxide
- Clonazepam
- Diazepam
- Lorazepam
2. Antidepressants – These are drugs used for treating depression. Some of the commonly prescribed antidepressants include
- Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors
- Fluoxetine
- Sertraline
- Paroxetine
- Citalopram
- Serotonin-norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors
- Desvenlafaxine
- Duloxetine
- Venlafaxine
- Norepinephrine-dopamine Reuptake Inhibitors
- Bupropion
- Tricyclic Antidepressants
- Amitriptyline
- Nortriptyline
- Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors
- Tranylcypromine
- Phenelzine
- Isocarboxazid
3. Antipsychotic Drugs – These medications aim to manage psychotic disorders, such as schizophrenia.
Examples of Older Antipsychotic Drugs:
- Chlorpromazine
- Haloperidol
- Thiothixene
Examples of Newer Antipsychotic Drug or Atypical Antipsychotics:
- Aripiprazole
- Asenapine
- Cariprazine
- Clozapine
- Lurasidone
- Olanzapine
- Quetiapine
- Risperidone
- Ziprasidone
4. Mood Stabilizers – This medication prevents manic and depressive episodes of patients with bipolar disorder. It also reduces anger, anxiety, depression, and impulsivity in borderline personality disorder.
Examples:
- Aripiprazole
- Asenapine
- Carbamazepine
- Cariprazine
- Lamotrigine
- Lithium
- Lurasidone
- Olanzapine
- Quetiapine
- Risperidone
- Topiramate
- Valproate
- Ziprasidone
Common Types of Psychotherapies
Psychotherapy is a process that psychologists use to understand patients and their problems. They employ different approaches and techniques to improve their quality of life. Here are some types of psychotherapies.
Psychoanalysis and Psychodynamic Therapies
Here, the therapist works with patients to explore their unconscious thoughts and emotions. They look at their past experiences and figure out how it impacts their present daily life.
Psychoanalytical therapy is a long-term treatment, while psychodynamic therapy is done for a shorter period.
Behavioral Therapy
This program seeks to distinguish and change self-destructive behaviors. One of its common types is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. It challenges distorted ideations and behaviors to cope with problems healthily.
Cognitive Therapy
Individuals working with cognitive therapists employ flexible ways to think and respond. They first ask themselves whether their thoughts are real and if these help them achieve their goals. If not, then they change it into something more accurate and helpful.
Interpersonal Therapy
This type of talk therapy alleviates symptoms of mood disorders by paying attention to your interpersonal relationships. Instead of looking at your past events, trauma, and developmental issues, it explores your current relationships and conflicts.
Common Types of Alternative Therapies
These complementary therapeutic programs go hand in hand with more traditional treatments.
Art Therapy
It enables transformation and healing through creative expressions, such as drawing, painting, sculpting, or writing. It is a less stressful way to address issues that contribute to your addiction.
Equine Therapy
In this therapy, you will be accompanied by a mental health professional and equine specialist as you engage in different horse caretaking activities. It helps you navigate challenging emotional experiences by taking care of animals in therapeutic settings.
Yoga and Mindfulness-Based Therapies
With mindfulness training, you can increase self-awareness and learn to respond to life stressors healthily. It lets you make more conscious decisions instead of reacting to them impulsively. Practicing yoga can reduce stress hormones in your body and make your mind achieve peace.
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Therapy
It is a non-invasive procedure that uses painless magnetic pulses to improve symptoms of neurological or mental health disorders, such as depression. During the session, electromagnetic coils are placed on the person’s scalp, stimulating the nerve cells in the brain region that involves mood control.
Demographics of Who is At Risk From Mental Health Disorders
The National Institute on Mental Health reports that mental illness is more common in women than men. In 2020, the prevalence of mental illness was higher in females with 25.8 percent than males with only 15.8 percent. However, more females receive mental health services than males.
Adolescents who are just transitioning to adulthood are also vulnerable to substance abuse. The National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics indicates that around 2.08 million 12 to 17-year-olds had used illicit drugs while 1.19 million engaged in binged drinking in the past month.
Where To Get Treatment For Mental Health Disorders
Individuals diagnosed with a mental condition can achieve recovery by participating in a therapy program done in various settings. Treatments may depend on several factors, such as the nature and severity of your illness, physical health, and the doctor’s recommendation.
Those with mild or well-controlled symptoms may find a primary care provider sufficient. However, a more intensive approach is often necessary for severe cases to ensure that their psychiatric, medical, and social needs are met.
Here’s where you can get treatment for mental health disorders:
- Alcohol and Drug Rehabilitation Facilities: They offer inpatient or outpatient services, where they perform counseling, detoxification, and medication-assisted treatment.
- Residential Mental Health Treatment: They generally provide long-term care for patients with mental conditions.
- Outpatient Clinics: There is a wide variety of outpatient environments, but they all involve clinic visits without staying overnight. Some are found in community mental health centers, while others are located in hospitals or private clinics.
- Psychiatric Hospitals: They treat mental illness exclusively, but their physicians can address medical conditions as well.
- Practitioners in Private Practice: Individuals usually see a health professional in solo or group private practice for mental health assessment, treatment, or counseling.
- Telepsychiatry: It refers to the remote delivery of psychiatric evaluation and psychological support through online video chat or calls.
Mental health affects our perceptions, thoughts, behaviors, and emotions. When triggered by stressful events, our mental health can deteriorate and lead to illness. Access to various treatments, such as medication and therapy, is vital to living a normal and productive life.
Recover and Heal in a Compassionate Environment
Roots Through Recovery is an outpatient center committed to helping people overcome addiction and mental health disorders. We offer well-rounded therapy programs that focus on restoring your optimal health. Our holistic approach addresses all facets of addiction and mental conditions including, physical, emotional, spiritual, psychological, and social. To start receiving treatment, book an appointment with us.
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